Strictly Come Dancing's spin-off It Takes Two introduced another format change on Wednesday (September 30), with the announcement of a new roving reporter segment. The move follows a series of alterations to the show this year, including the departure of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
New roving reporter unveiled
During Wednesday's episode, Ellie Taylor introduced Abi Clarke, presenter of Strictly: Lights Up, as the show's "brand-new roving reporter." Clarke conducted interviews with the couples from the training room, speaking with Will Best and Dianne Buswell, Melanie Walters and Alja Škorjanec, and Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola.
While training room clips have appeared on It Takes Two previously, formal interviews conducted during rehearsals represent a new development for the programme.
Viewers divided on changes
Fans were quick to share their reactions on social media. One viewer posted on X: "So they are interviewing couples from the training room now." Another commented: "Ah ok so we do get couple interviews in rehearsals by the new roving reporter for #ItTakesTwo which is slightly better to how it was all presented on Monday on how it will work."
Later in the programme, Ellie spoke with the series' first professional panel, comprising Jowita Przystał, Julian Caillon, and Lauren Oakley. While some viewers said they "really enjoyed" the segment, others expressed disappointment at the absence of live couple discussions.
Further changes confirmed
"#ItTakesTwo needs to bring back interviewing the couple, not separately," one viewer posted. Another shared: "At this stage of the contest I don't know who the pros' partners are... they need to be sat together so we can learn them."
A third remarked: "The fact that we probably won't see the pros with their celebs on #ItTakesTwo unless they've been voted off. They really need to change this format it's dire!" Another echoed this view, stating: "#ItTakesTwo we want the pros interviewed with their partners on the shows. We want to see the journey @bbcstrictly. This was the whole point of the programme. This is absolutely rubbish."
Costume designer Vicky Gill will return to It Takes Two on Thursday (October 1), alongside new presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. Ellie will also be accompanied by Lawrence Robb, Dani Dyer, and Cach Mercer. Strictly Come Dancing and Strictly: It Takes Two are both available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
